| 14 May 2009
Tim Wakefield has been the ace of the Red Sox pitching staff this season. Coming into last night game in Anaheim, Wake was 4-1 with a 2.92 ERA, but after two solid innings to start the game, the knuckle ball stopped knuckling in the third, and the Halos pounded him for five runs in the inning.
"The offense scored four runs early and gave me a comfortable lead, and I couldn't hold it," Wakefield said. "I just tried to grind it out and it didn't work. I pride myself on giving the club innings, and I wasn't able to do that tonight. Physically, I felt fine. I left the bullpen feeling great, but I just couldn't convert it into the game."
The Sox scored four runs early, but journeyman starter Matt Palmer settled in and retired the final 19 batters he faced to complete the game and earn his first big league victory.
NESN may have jinxed Wake in the 5th when they flashed a Heidi Watney interview with Torri Hunter who threw out all 25 cliche's about hitting knuckleballs, including "when it's high, let it fly" and "just come to park naked and see what happens."
Um... okaaaaayyyyy...
Heidi wrapped up the segment with Wake's ugly stat line at Angel Stadium, now 5-9 with a 5.91 ERA, and Hunter immediately launched a 72 MPH fastball into the stands for a home run. Wake would not get out of the inning and the Sox went on to lose 8-4.
Bottom Line: We may have lost the game, but Jason Bay hit his 10th ding dong of the season and Daniel Bard looked sharp in his first ever MLB appearance making Mike "The Lumberjack" Napoli look silly on thre straight fastballs and topping out at 98 MPH.
"We knew he's a fastball hitter, but first guy I'm facing, I just kind of went with my strengths," Bard said. "Kept it away. Lucky enough that he was up there hacking."
Read more from Bard on his first major league game HERE.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
